stuckverb
uk/stʌk/us/stʌk/past simple and past participle of stick
stuckadjective
uk/stʌk/us/stʌk/B2 unable to move, or set in a particular position, place, or way of thinking:
This door seems to be stuck - can you help me push it open?
Seven of us were stuck in the lift for over an hour.
I hate being stuck (= having to be) behind a desk - I'd rather work outside.
in a difficult situation, or unable to change or get away from a situation:
We'd be stuck if your sister hadn't offered to come over and look after the children tonight.
C1 not able to continue reading, answering questions, etc. because something is too difficult:
I'm really stuck - do you have any idea how to answer these questions?
be stuck with sb/sth
C2 to have to deal with someone or something unpleasant because you have no choice or because no one else wants to:
We were stuck with him for the entire journey!
More examples
- I got stuck in a traffic jam for half an hour.
- When you're stuck in traffic, a mobile phone's an absolute life-saver.
- I tried to push the door open but it was stuck.
- She told me a hilarious story about the time she got stuck in an elevator.
- A fish bone got stuck in my throat.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Not able to be changed
- a leopard can't/doesn't change its spots idiom
- be no hard and fast rules idiom
- burn your boats/bridges idiom
- congenital
- continuity
- fixed
- fixity
- hard line
- hard line
- immutable
- incurable
- irredeemable
- irreducible
- irremediable
- irreparable
- irretrievable
- ossify
- stasis
- uncompromising
- what's done is done idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Experiencing difficulties
Confusion, confusing and feeling confused
Duty, obligation and responsibility
Idiom(s)
be stuck on sb/sth
get stuck in